THURSDAY 3 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 05 I tried to play and I still wanted to play Rafael Nadal after but the two doctors from here and the doctors from my confederation in pulling out of Brisbane CRICKET Spain tell me ... if I play here, there is a International to focus vs Pakistan, Australia vs India, fourth risk to don’t have the chance to play in on being ready for the second Test, day 1 Test, day 1 ACTION

Melbourne. Australian Open. TODAY’S Ashwin back in frame as pacer Sharma left out

AFP availability will be taken on the down to No.6 as cover for Rohit INDIA SQUAD FOR SYDNEY SYDNEY morning of the Test,” it said Sharma. ahead of what is expected to be The Ashwin u-turn was not Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Hanuma India reversed their decision turning at the Sydney explained although there was Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, yesterday to rule out top spinner Cricket Ground. speculation that Jadeja may also (), , Rishabh (pictured) In a surprise, first-team not be fully fit. Pant, , Kuldeep Yadav,

from the fourth Test againstagainst regularregular Sharma was not included KohlKohlii hahadd eaearlierrlier sasaidid ooff Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Australia, while pace spearheadarhead with the reasons unknown. Fast Ashwin: “The Shami,Shami, JJaspritasprit Bumrah,Bumrah, UUmeshm Yadav. was mysteriouslyeriously bowlerbowler was physiophysio and the missing from their 13-man3-man named as his replacement.replacement. trainertrainer hhaveave squad. Wrist-spinnerWrist-spinner KuldeepKuldeep spoken to him the fact that he has notno been able Indian officials had earlierearlier Yadav was also on the squadsquad inin terms of to recover in time, butbut the things told reporters Ashwin hadhad not listlist and could playplay alongsidealongside wwhat’shat’s required have been laid out to him (over) recovered from an abdominalominal finger-spinnerfinger-spinner RavinRavindradra iinn order to get whatwhat needs to be ddoneo to get strain that has kept himm out ofof JadejaJadeja if Ashwin is not fit and ooverver that ininjury.jury. back to full fitness.fitness. the last two Tests, and skipperskipper India opt for two slow bowlers.bowlers. “He“He is very “Honestly, you can’tca predict Australia’s batsman Tim Paine walks Virat Kohli had lamented ththee ooff-ff- Middle-orderMiddle-order batsmanbatsman disappointeddisadi ppointed an injury, whenwhen it hahappens you back to the pavilion after his dismissal spinner’s absence, saying he was ,Sharma, who hit a with just manmanageage andand doingdoin what he during day four of the third Test “very disappointed” to missmiss the grittygritty 63 in the first can to get over that iinjury.”n against India in Melbourne, in this final match of the series. iinningsnnings at MelMel-- India gogo into thethe final Test December 29, 2018 file photo. But barely an hour later,ater, his bbourne,ourne, is notnot 2-12-1 up and with a firstfirst series win name was on the squadad list aavailablevailable aafterfter in Australia in their ssights. tweeted by the BCCI, India’sa’s gov-gov- jjettingetting back to ButBut Kohli insistedinsiste making erning body. MuMumbaimbai to be historyhistory was not theirthe primary “A decision on R Ashwin’shwin’s with his wifwifee motive.motive. who recentlyrecently “The reasonreason why we Indian officials had gave birth.birth. want to win thisth Test is earlier told reporters becausebecause we uunderstandnd as Paine targets Ashwin had not recovered cricketerscricketers howhow difficult it isis to come herheree and play,” from an abdominal strain hehe said.said. that has kept him out of “It’s is notnot only the improvement the last two Tests, and teamteam you are plaplayingy against skipper Virat Kohli had but the whole nation as they get lamented the offspinner’s KLKL Rahul, behindbehind ttheirheir teateamm so well. absence, saying he was who was axed for the last “Purely just to taketake that chal- as India series Melbourne Test,Test, is back in lengelenge on, we want toto win here. “very disappointed” to contention and could open It’s got nothingnothing ttoo do with miss the final match of the inningsinnings with MayankMayank proving that we hhave done loss looms the series. Agarwal, with Hanuma somethingsomething that hasn’hasn’tt been done VihariVihari ddroppingropping back in thethe ppast.”ast.”

AFP team, adding that conditions SYDNEY at the Sydney Cricket Ground would determine which ‘Enforcer’ Olivier retained Renowned Australia captain Tim Paine members of the 14-man squad insisted yesterday that his pri- were left on the sidelines. Indian coach ority was to develop his inex- “It’s just team balance perienced cricket team for the really,” he said. “There’s for second Pakistan Test Achrekar future even as they face the ongoing discussion the last prospect of losing a home day or two but we’ll have a series against India for the final look at the wicket and passes away first time. we’ll have our last chat then. AFP South Africa’s Duanne Olivier But he pledged that Aus- “We’re not too far away. CAPE TOWN in action. IANS tralia would still pick the “best As I said all along, we’ll be MUMBAI XI that we think is the best looking to pick the best XI that South African captain Faf du combination to win this Test” we think is the best combi- Plessis said yesterday that fast Veteran cricket coach once they had seen the nation to win this Test and the bowler Duanne Olivier would Ramakant Achrekar, Sydney pitch. wicket will play a part in that.” be used in an “enforcer” role as who trained Bharat Australia, who have never The Sydney wicket has a part of a pace barrage in the Ratna Sachin Tendulkar lost a home series against healthy green tinge which will second Test against Pakistan and his friend Vinod India, go into today’s fourth suit both team’s opening starting at Newlands today. Kambli, among others, Test 2-1 down and in danger bowlers, before it could dete- Du Plessis said he wanted to passed away following a of Virat Kohli’s men com- riorate to give something to keep the pressure on the heart attack here pleting a historic landmark the spinners. Pakistan batsmen after Olivier yesterday, family sources Down Under. Australia have parachuted took 11 in South Africa’s said. While Australia must win leg-spinning batsman Marnus six-wicket win in the first Test He was 87 and to level the series, Paine said Labuschagne into the squad in Centurion. breathed his last at his that his aim was on for Sydney and he could start There had been speculation home in Dadar at around improvement, particularly in if selectors feel there is that Olivier might have to sit out 5 pm. the batting department, with enough in the track to warrant at Newlands because of the Achrekar, honoured home Tests to come against playing him alongside Nathan return to fitness of Vernon Phi- with a Padma Shri in Sri Lanka ahead of an Ashes Lyon. lander. But Du Plessis said he 2010 and Dronacharya tour to England this year. And if India opt for two would definitely play. Award in 1990, was “It doesn’t for me per- spinners, it could open the “He brings variety to our instrumental in coaching sonally,” he said on whether door for a return of Peter attack,” said Du Plessis, adding Tendulkar, Kambli and preventing an India series win Handscomb, who was left out that Olivier provided a contrast over a dozen other top was his key motivation. of the Melbourne Test but is to the skill and control of South cricket stars in the finer “Other guys may use it but renowned as a top player of Africa’s other fast bowlers, nuances of the game. my focus has been on us spin. , and the hook following their collapse injury that kept him out of the “The BCCI expresses improving and on us playing That would likely put all- . in the second innings in first Test and was unlikely to is deepest sympathy on the best possible cricket that rounder Mitch Marsh’s spot at “Duanne is more of an Centurion. play again in the series. He said the passing of Achrekar. we can and when we haven’t, risk. enforcer who puts you on the Sarfraz said Haris Sohail had Pakistan would keep the same Not only did he produce making sure we learn from it.” Paine said it was crucial back foot and can be a bit chal- not recovered from a knee batting line-up that played in great cricketers but also The hosts’ top order has that the batsmen play their lenging for batters, especially Centurion. trained them to be fine largely failed to fire and the part in Sydney, with none of when they come from the sub- Sarfraz admitted there were human beings. His con- odds are mounting that the them getting more than 50 in continent where the ball doesn’t big challenges for his batsmen tribution to Indian under-performing Aaron Finch Melbourne with the exception bounce as high,” said Du Plessis. on fast, bouncy pitches. cricket has been will either be pushed down or of tailender . “He’s a fit guy and he can “We are used to playing on immense,” the BCCI axed, with number three “This Test is going to be a bowl long spells. He’s different, Duanne is more of low bouncing pitches. But our said in a condolence Usman Khawaja moving up to real focus for our batting he runs at you, he’s around your an enforcer who players are good enough and message. open alongside Marcus Harris. group. We know we’re not head most of the time, it’s not puts you on the back they have been working hard in Last year, on Guru “If that’s the way we go, going to win Test matches comfortable.” foot and can be a the nets and talking to the Poornima Day, Ten- Usman will go out and give his without scoring hundreds,” he Pakistan captain Sarfraz batting coach.” dulkar had visited his all as he always does. I think said. Ahmed acknowledged that bit challenging for Sarfraz said the return of Guru and sought his the way he’s handled the last “That’s something we’ve Olivier had caused problems for batters, especially Mohammad Abbas to the blessings. month or so has been exem- spoken about and something his batsmen in Centurion. when they come from line-up would “Achrekar Sir, all this plary, it’s a real credit to him,” we are really keen to improve “We will definitely talk the sub-continent strengthen his team, while he is possible because of said Paine. and address.” about him. He’s a different type expected the pitch to have you. Without your The captain said he Australia were skittled for of bowler with a where the ball doesn’t “something” for leg-spinner guidance, I would not wanted a final look at the 151 and then 261 in action,” he said. bounce as high: Faf du Yasir Shah. have achieved such great wicket before selecting the Melbourne. Du Plessis said South Africa Plessis “Our bowling gives us so heights,” he said later. did not want to let Pakistan off much confidence,” he said. 06 SPORT THURSDAY 3 JANUARY 2019 QTSBF, ExxonMobil renew Qatar Open sponsorship deal

QNA QTSBF President Nasser Al DOHA Khelaifi said: “The enduring stra- tegic partnership between our two ExxonMobil Qatar, the title sponsor great organisations is one of the of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, oldest in Qatar. It is an alliance that The tournament has continued renewed its sponsorship agreement has come to define what a synergy to grow in leaps and bounds of the ATP 250 Tournament with between partners with similar goals over the years and we are Qatar Tennis, Squash and and visions can achieve when given immensely proud of our Badminton Federation (QTSBF) for the opportunity.” another three years, it was “The tournament has continued achievements, which includes announced during a press to grow in leaps and bounds over winning the prestigious ATP conference yesterday. the years and we are immensely 250 Tournament of the Year The event was attended by pres- proud of our achievements, which on two occasions. It is an ident of QTSBF Nasser bin Ghanim includes winning the prestigious Al Khelaifi and President and ATP 250 Tournament of the Year on accomplishment which General Manager for ExxonMobil two occasions. It is an accom- is unrivalled in the Qatar Alistair Routledge and other plishment which is unrivalled in the region: Al Khelaifi officials of both organisations. region, as well as others too ExxonMobil Qatar has been the numerous to mention here,” the title sponsor of the annual tennis QTSBF President said. Routledge said: “Our partnership tournament for the last 27 years. The “Our partnership with Exxon- with QTF is not just about bringing partnership extension is a further Mobil Qatar is a key enabler for QTF exceptional tennis to Qatar for the proof of the two organisations to organise a high-quality event for world to see its also about sup- unwavering commitment to sup- all in attendance, and to continue to porting the Qatar National Vision porting Qatar on its journey toward define Qatar as a globally renowned 2030 by promoting a healthier and The President of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Nasser bin Ghanim accomplishing the goals of the Qatar and vibrant center for world-class stronger local community that can Al Khelaifi (left) exchange documents with President and General Manager for ExxonMobil National Vision 2030. sporting events,” he added. contribute to the country’s future.” Qatar Alistair Routledge during the sponsorship signing ceremony in Doha yesterday. Chelsea kick start transfer EPL: Spurs reclaim second place with window with Pulisic splurge win over Cardiff AFP Bundesliga debut for PARIS Dortmund aged just 17 after REUTERS minutes later with a clever rapidly progressing through LONDON finish from the edge of the Chelsea made an early splash the team’s academy and box, although Warnock in the January transfer window quickly established himself Tottenham moved back will be disappointed with today by making Christian as one of the most exciting into second place in the the way his defenders Pulisic the most expensive USA prospects in Europe. In Premier League, six points backed off and gave the footballer as clubs across November he became the behind leaders Liverpool, Dane space to wriggle and Europe geared up for business. youngest player to captain after cruising to a 3-0 win shoot home. The Premier League club the United States’ senior side, at lowly Cardiff City on The game was effec- signed Pulisic -- regarded as aged 20 years and 63 days. Tuesday. tively over in the 26th one of the hottest properties In France, Ligue 1 club Liverpool face third- minute when Son Heung- in European football -- on a Montpellier signed promising placed Manchester City Min produced a clinical five-and-a-half year contract Uruguay international today, and City could finish with a shot on the for a reported fee of £58m defender Mathias Suarez, move back above Spurs if turn after being well from German Bundesliga choosing to reveal neither they avoid defeat at the set-up by Kane. leaders Borussia Dortmund a details of the transfer fee nor Etihad Stadium. The South Korean has day after the winter window the player’s contract. Spurs, beaten by scored 11 goals in his last opened. The 22-year-old arrives Wolves at home on Sat- 12 starts. The sum smashed the pre- in France from Defensor urday, took just three Spurs boss Mauricio vious highest transfer for an Sporting, a club based in the minutes to get in front in Pochettino praised the American, the reported 20m Uruguayan capital Monte- South Wales through the way his side seized control euros German club Wolfsburg video where he played more familiar source of captain of the game early. up for John Brooks in than 100 matches since Harry Kane. “The energy we 2017. making his debut as a After Kane launched showed from the “It’s a privilege to have teenager in 2013. an attack, surging from beginning was fantastic to signed for such a legendary Suarez made his debut for deep, Kieran Trippier dominate the game. We club and I look forward to the national team in a 1-0 crossed and the England knew that it would be dif- working hard towards being loss against Brazil in forward had a simple ficult to open the score a contributor to their team of November, before playing the tap-in when the ball rico- and we wanted from the world class players,” said full 90 minutes days later in cheted off Cardiff defender beginning to have a high Pulisic in a statement pub- another single-goal defeat Sean Morrison. tempo. We found the lished on the Chelsea website. against France. Cardiff manager Neil solution in the first 20 Dortmund will keep the In Spain, Villarreal released Warnock said that early minutes,” he told Sky 20-year-old right winger on former Chile international goal was a heavy blow: Sports. loan until the end of the season Manuel Iturra after the “When we start off like “I don’t want to see as part of what they described 34-year-old defensive mid- that we shoot ourselves in the table. Of course we an “extraordinarily lucrative fielder, who played 33 times for the foot. All the planning are in a good position. We offer from Chelsea” as they his country, started just one goes out of the window,” need to be consistent. You Dortmund’s US midfielder Christian Pulisic plays the ball during the German look to win their first league match for the La Liga strugglers he told the BBC. must be consistent during first division Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen in Leverkusen, title since 2012. this season after signing from Christian Eriksen then the whole season,” he Pulisic made his Malaga in the summer. western Germany in this December 2, 2017 file picture. made it 2-0 for Spurs nine said.

Umm Salal hire Caneda as coach Qatar down Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendly

Action from the handball match between Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Doha yesterday. Raúl Caneda (left) the newly appointed coach of Umm Salal shakes hands with Qatar won 33-16. Qatar is preparing for the World Championship which will be held in Denmark an Umm Salal official in Doha yesterday. Caneda, takes over from Frenchman and Germany from January 10. Yesterday’s match was the fourth one in the series of friendless Laurent Banide who has been relieved of his duties. which Qatar have played ahead of the World Championship. THURSDAY 3 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 07 Medvedev halts Murray’s comeback

REUTERS BRISBANE Nadal pulls out

Andy Murray’s latest comeback from a persistent hip issue REUTERS ended prematurely yesterday when he was beaten 7-5, 6-2 BRISBANE by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the second round of the Brisbane International. Rafa Nadal has pulled out of this week’s Brisbane Inter- Murray cut short his season last September after suffering national due to a left thigh problem, with the Spaniard pain in his hip following surgery earlier in the year that ruled saying he did not want to risk an injury ahead of this him out of three of the four Grand Slam tournaments. month’s Australian Open. The 31-year-old had defeated local hope James Duck- The world number two endured an injury-plagued worth in his season opener on Tuesday but was comprehen- 2018 season that saw him contest only nine tournaments sively beaten by fourth seed Medvedev who fired 16 due to hip, knee, abdomen and ankle injuries. aces and lost only seven of his first-service points in The 32-year-old did not play after retiring against the contest. Juan Martin del Potro in their U.S. Open semi-final last Medvedev next faces Canada’s Milos Raonic who September and underwent ankle surgery two months eased past Serbian qualifier Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, later. 7-6(2). “I did an MRI and it shows a small staring on my left The tournament lost another big name when Rafa thigh,” Nadal, who was due to face Frenchman Jo-Wil- Nadal pulled out due to a thigh strain, casting doubt fried Tsonga in the second round on Thursday, said. on his participation in this month’s Australian Open. “I tried to play, I wanted to play, but recommenda- Jeremy Chardy rallied to beat holder Nick Kyrgios tions from the doctors (were otherwise). 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 to leave Alex De Minaur as the sole “It’s a small thing that can become a much bigger... Australian man remaining in the draw after the when you compete the intensity on the muscle it can get 19-year-old beat Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-2. worse... I feel better than I did four days ago... it’s a risk Grigor Dimitrov downed local favourite to damage my body for one month if I play here.” John Millman 6-3, 6-4 to set up a quarter- Despite a curtailed season, Nadal managed to win five final with Japan’s Kei Nishikori. titles last year, including a record-extending 11th French In the women’s competition, Open title that took his Grand Slam tally to 17. unseeded Anett Kontaveit upset double He lost a three-set exhibition match against South Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 7-5, Africa’s Kevin Anderson in Abu Dhabi last week and had 7-6(1) before paying tribute to fellow indicated he was fighting fit ahead of the Brisbane Estonian Kaia Kanepi who had claimed tournament. the Brisbane title in 2012. Lucky loser Taro Daniel will replace Nadal in the “We’re a really small country. Kaia has second round against Tsonga. led the way for me. She won this tour- nament a few years ago - she’s shown you can make it in tennis,” Kontaveit, ranked 20 in the world, said. Former champion Karolina Pliskova outclassed Marie Sasnovich sends Bouzkova 7-5, 6-2 to set up a clash with Ajla Tomljanovic who ended the run of Briton Johanna Konta winning 6-2 7-6(2). top seed Svitolina BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS SECOND ROUND MEN packing in Brisbane Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR X3) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 Grigor Dimitrov (BUL X6) bt John Millman (AUS) 6-3, 6-4 AFP Kei Nishikori (JPN X2) bt Denis Kudla (USA) 7-5, 6-2 BRISBANE Milos Raonic (CAN X5) bt Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS X8) 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 Top seed and defending champion Elina Svitolina crashed Daniil Medvedev (RUS X4) bt Andy Murray (GBR) 7-5, 6-2 out of the Brisbane International at the hands of Bela- Alex de Minaur (AUS X7) bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) 6-4, 6-2 rusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich yesterday. WOMEN In a replay of last year’s final, Sasnovich reversed that Anastasija Sevastova (LAT X8) bt Harriet Dart (GBR) 6-2, 6-0 result as she ousted Svitolina 6-4, 0-6, 6-3. Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Petra Kvitova (CZE X4) 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) The Belarusian displayed some breathtaking shot Karolina Pliskova (CZE X5) bt Marie Bouzkova (CZE) 7-5, 6-2 Daniil Medvedev of Russia (left) shakes hands with Andy Murray after winning making in the first set before Svitolina stormed back in Donna Vekic (CRO) bt Kiki Bertens (NED X6) 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-5 the men’s singles second round match against the Briton at the Brisbane the second. Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) bt Johanna Konta (GBR) 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) International tennis tournament yesterday. TOP: Medvedev serves against But Sasnovich continued to go for her shots and broke Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Elina Svitolina (UKR X1) 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 Murray. Svitolina twice in the third set to seal victory and book a quarter-final against Croatian Donna Vekic. Vekic continued her good form when she downed Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens in three sets 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-5. Vekic looked in trouble when she was down 4-5 in Zverev, Kerber put Germany the third with Bertens serving for the match, but the Struggling Croatian fought back to win the next three games and book her place in the quarter-finals. Sharapova “I’m really happy to have this kind of match in the on track for Hopman final first tournament, to see how much I can push myself,” she said. progresses “Obviously I can play long, play good and win, so I’m AFP “I had my chances in the first HOPMAN CUP RESULTS really happy about that.” PERTH set, but she was playing good Results from the mixed teams Hopman Estonia’s Annet Kontaveit caused a boilover when she at Shenzhen then and I missed a few balls. Cup in Perth yesterday: beat fourth seeded Czech Petra Kvitova 7-5, 7-6 (7/1). Alexander Zverev and Angelique “I was trying to find my GROUP A Kontaveit, whose compatriot Kaia Kanepi won this Kerber steered Germany closer rhythm in the second set, Australia bt Spain 2-1 tournament in 2012, was too consistent for Kvitova, who AFP to a second successive Hopman trying to still keep going and Women's singles: Ashleigh Barty (AUS) bt was backing up after a three-hour first-round win over BEIJING Cup final after winning their then the third set I think it was Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6-3, 6-4 Danielle Collins late Tuesday afternoon. singles matches against lower- just two or three points that Men's singles: David Ferrer (ESP) bt “We played each other quite a lot of times last year Former world number one Maria ranked French opponents in decided it.” Matthew Ebden (AUS) 7-6 (7/1), 7-5 so I knew it was going to be tough from the beginning,” Sharapova qualified for the quarter- Perth yesterday. Ranked fourth in the world, Mixed doubles: Barty/Ebden (AUS) bt Kontaveit said. finals of the Shenzhen WTA after The German top 10 duo, Zverev started well against the Muguruza/Ferrer (ESP) 3-4 (3/5), 4-3 “I was just trying to hang in there in the second set. struggling against China’s great beaten in last year’s final of the 32nd-ranked Pouille and took (5/0), 4-3 (5/3) I’m just so happy.” tennis hope Wang Xinyu, who was mixed teams tournament by the first set comfortably on the Germany bt France 2-1 Latvian Anastasija Sevastova earlier thrashed British forced to retire from the match in Swiss duo Roger Federer and back of a service break in the Women's singles: Angelique Kerber (GER) qualifier Harriet Dart 6-2, 6-0. pain. Belinda Bencic, made it two wins eighth game. bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 Former champion Karolina Pliskova downed fellow The fifth-seed Russian was sur- from as many group outings, However, the match Men's singles: Alexander Zverev (GER) bt countrywoman Marie Bouzkova 7-5, 6-2 and will face off prised early on by the power of her beating France 2-1. tightened up in the second set, Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 6-2 against Australia’s Alja Tomljanovic in the 17-year-old opponent, who took the Kerber had to come from a with both players holding set Mixed doubles: Cornet/Pouille (FRA) bt quarter-finals. final game of the first set 7-6 and set down to beat feisty Alize points. Kerber/Zverev (GER) 4-3 (5/4), 4-3 (5/3) Tomljanovic secured her place in the last eight with broke in the second. Cornet, while Zverev squan- Zverev had a match point a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) win over Britain’s Johanna Konta. But Wang Xinyu had to retire dered a second-set match point during the second set tie-break, hurt, apparently after feeling pain before defeating Lucas Pouille while it wasn’t until his sixth set in her thigh, while she was leading in three sets. point that Pouille levelled the 5-2 in the second set. In the mixed doubles, both match. “You played unbelievable,” sides took a very relaxed attitude The pair traded service Sharapova told Wang, after the to the dead rubber match and breaks early in the third set, but Chinese player announced she was the French gained some conso- Zverev gained a second break retiring from the match, adding that lation with a straight sets 4-3, for a 4-2 lead when the the teenager had a great career 4-3 win. Frenchman double faulted and ahead of her. Ranked second in the world, that sealed Pouille’s fate. “It’s not the way either of us Kerber served for the first set in “Lucas fought well and wants to finish the match, win or her singles match against the played very well in the important lose,” said Sharapova, who is ranked 45th-ranked Cornet, but then moments sometimes,” Zverev 29. dropped three successive games said, after winning 6-3, 6-7, 6-2. Wang won two junior doubles as the Frenchwoman claimed “He is a very tough titles last year at two Grand Slam the set. opponent. tournaments (at Wimbledon and the However, Kerber settled and “I just hope to keep going Australian Open). claimed the next two sets to win with Angie and seeing how far She was given a wild card for 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in just over two we can go.” the tournament in Shenzhen. hours and maintain her perfect Unbeaten in their two group In the next round, Sharapova singles record in Perth, with six outings, the Germans will be takes on top-seed Belorussian Aryna wins from as many outings. guaranteed a spot in Saturday’s Sabalenka, who had an easy win Kerber said Cornet was decider if they beat Australia Angelique Kerber of Germany hits a return against Alize Cornet of over Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova always a tricky opponent. tomorrow. France during their seventh session women’s singles match on day yesterday 6-3, 6-3. “She is a fighter,” Kerber France are out of contention five of the Hopman Cup Tennis Tournament in Perth yesterday. said. after losing both their ties. SPORT Thursday 3 January 2019 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 07 Spinner Zverev, Kerber Ashwin back in put Germany on frame as pacer track for Hopman Sharma left out Cup final Djokovic fights his way to reach quarters

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN RESULTS World number one Novak Djokovic yesterday fought off stiff SINGLES: SECOND ROUND resistance from Hungarian giant Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Marton Marton Fucsovics to reach the Fucsovics (HUN) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 quarter-finals of the season’s first 250-point tournament where Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x5) bt Andrey Grand Slam star Stan Wawrinka Rublev (RUS) 6-3, 6-4 stayed on course for a possible clash against the top seed in Doha. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) bt Nicolas Jarry (CHI) Djokovic, a two-time 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) champion in Doha, survived a hiccup in the first set to claw his Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x7) bt way back for a fighting 4-6, 6-4, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-1, 6-4 6-1 win in exactly two hours on the Centre Court. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Ricardas Berankis Earlier yesterday, unseeded (LTU) 7-6 (7/4), 0-6, 7-5 Wawrinka beat Nicolas Jarry of Chile in straight sets to sign in for Marco Cecchinato (ITA x4) bt Guido Pella the quarter-finals. Wawrinka, a (ARG) - walkover former doubles partner of tennis legend Roger Federer, won 6-4, Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) bt Maximilian 7-6 in the day’s opening clash on the Centre Court. Marterer (GER) 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (8/6) In other matches yesterday, Djokovic rode the momentum into the third seventh seed Roberto Bautista set, holding serve comfortably to 15 before Agut of Spain edged past qual- capitalising on back-to-back forehand errors ifier Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-1, from his opponent to break for a 2-0 lead. A 6-4, Dusan Lajovic of Serbia beat second break soon followed after a confident love Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas service hold and, despite surrendering one of his Berankis 7-6, 0-6, 7-5 while ball to Marton Fucsovics of Hungary fourth seed Marco Cecchinato of service breaks, Djokovic immediately regained his during their Qatar ExxonMobil Italy got a walkover from injured double-break advantage before closing out the Open match played at the Khalifa Guido Pella. Organisers said Pella match. The Serbian converted his first match point Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha was suffering from a back with a backhand winner down the line. yesterday. PICTURE: problem. SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Djokovic, who improves to 14-1 in Doha, yesterday praised Fucsovics’ fighting spirit on court. “At my end I was in a corner. The two-time champion from Serbia has improved to long return by Djokovic allowed Nikoloz Basilashvili who stunned “I must say I was in a corner I had to find my way and fight my 14-1 in Doha. Fucsovics to surge ahead at 5-4. Andrey Rublev of Russia 6-3, 6-4 and I had to fight my way back. I way through. Like I said luckily I The Hungarian retained his serve in the third match on Centre got a lucky call in the 10th game made that break in the 10th game His only loss here came on his debut in 2015, falling in in game 10 to take the first set in Court yesterday. Basilashvili, 26, (of the second set) and I managed of the second set. I was lucky to three sets to Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-finals. 40 minutes. fired 8 aces as he wrapped up the to fight from there,” Djokovic said hit the line. It was a very close call In the second set a similar match in just 61 minutes of yesterday. and that was the turning point,” pattern followed until the 10th aggressive tennis. It was the first “That’s how he plays. He was he added. In 2016, Djokovic did not drop a set en route to his game when Djokovic broke Fuc- meeting between the two young a better player for most of the two “Absolutely,” Djokovic said maiden crown in Qatar. sovics with a ‘lucky’ shot that was players. Rublev, 21, was the losing sets. He was playing smart. He when asked if the fans played a decided by TV replay at duece. finalist in Doha last year. was great on the backline. He was big part in his recovery. Once Djokovic got that lucky Earlier yesterday, Wawrinka changing the pace of the ball and “Thank you guys for your “I congratulate him on a great doubles),” Djokovic said with a smile. break, he did not look back and played a controlled game from moving me around,” the 31-year- support,” he added while facing performance. It was Djokovic’s second win sealed the second and third sets the baseline to seal his win in 88 old Serbian explained. the cheering crowd. “On the other hand I take over Fucsovics in as many games with ease as a tiring Fucsovics minutes against 23-year-old “All the credit to him for a “I appreciate it. I really positives from this match. I but the match was a thriller. Both struggled for returns. Djokovic Jarry. It was Wawrinka’s second great match and I really wish him needed it obviously. I was playing played for almost two hours. I players retained their services fired 6 aces in his three-set win. successive win after the Swiss all the best in Australia,” Djokovic a player who was really hitting am getting on court soon as I will until the 9th game in the first set In the quarter-final today, beat Russia’s Karen Khachanovin said. the ball so well,” he added. play with my brother (in the when an unforced error after a Djokovic will play Georgia’s the first round. Al Khelaifi keen to see Qatari players make rapid strides

RIZWAN REHMAT yards to move ahead in the rankings THE PENINSULA race. “They need to learn the sports. They Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) President We have the capacity to go after want to be there everyday. They need to Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi said train hard,” Al Khelaifi said yesterday. yesterday that Qatar is eager to see its our dream and this is our goal for “They need to do it for themselves. national team players appearing at the the future. But of course, I am not They need to be there with aims of ATP Tour tournaments with official suggesting we don’t want to only learning new things,” Al Khelaifi said. rankings taking them forward in the focus on how we do in the Gulf. Al Khelaifi yesterday praised the game. But I want (to see) Qatari players organising committee of the Qatar Exx- Al Khelaifi also urged the young in the top 500: Al Khelaifi onMobil Open for their ‘tremendous Qatari players to ‘train hard’. effort’ to stage one of the more popular On Tuesday, Qatar’s Mubarak Zayid events on the ATP Tour circuit. lost to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain players in the top 500,” the QTF pres- Alistair Routledge, General Manager in straight sets though the 22-year-old ident said. of ExxonMobil, Qatar, yesterday said ATP impressed with his fast serves. “I think we can do it. We have the Tour players ‘loved coming to Doha’ for “I know today the young Qatari facilities and the capacity to do it. We have the season’s first 250-point tournament. tennis players are second in the Gulf. a new coach. We are working in that Qatar ExxonMobil Open was voted the They are going the right way,” Al Khelaifi direction as he will help us develop the Paris Saint-Germain FC’s (PSG) and Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) President Nasser “Best 250-point Tournament’ in 2016 said in an interview on the sidelines of young players. This is important for the bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi (left) gestures as he speaks to PSG’s manager Thomas and 2017. the $1.4m Qatar ExxonMobil Open federation and for our tennis as we go Tuchel, while watching the ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open tennis match between “The efforts the teams put in to make yesterday. about developing the game,” he added. Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and Nicolas Jarry of Chile in Doha yesterday. this tournament successful is praise- “I am being truthful and honest - our In late October, legendary American worthy. I mean that’s what strikes us ambition is to get worldwide ranking for tennis coach Nick Bollettieri camped in when we look at this country also,” our players. Zayid is good and he can go Doha on an invitation from the QTF to grassroots center at the Khalifa Inter- players to highlight the role of families Routledge said after he inked a three- forward,” Al Khelaifi added on day three conduct training workshops. national Tennis and Squash Complex, in motivating the players and improving year extension on ExonMobil’s title spon- of the hugely popular tournament that The training workshops were the venue of the on-going Qatar Exx- their tennis skills. sorship of the tournament in Doha. signed a new deal with title sponsors attended by the players of Qatar’s onMobil Open. The visit in October was the result of “This country welcomes the world ExxonMobil. national teams. The American, who oversaw the the cooperation agreement between the and shares its customs and values. I “We have the capacity to go after our Bollettieri also visited the Qatari development of many leading players QTF and the American coach to promote think that’s what the players enjoy - dream and this is our goal for the future. schools to hold similar workshops for including Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, tennis in Qatar and ‘improve the skills they feel safe, they are extremely well But of course, I am not suggesting we the students. The program of the visit Monica Seles and Mary Pierce, during of national team players’. treated. I think it’s a great combination don’t want to only focus on how we do included theoretical and practical lec- his visit in October also met with the Al Khelaifi yesterday said young and the players really appreciate that,” in the Gulf. But I want (to see) Qatari tures and training sessions at the parents of national team Qatari tennis players must do the ‘hard’ he added.